Chamber of Commerce seeking new members

????The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce is conducting a membership drive.

????The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce is conducting a membership drive.

"Being a member of the chamber is important," said David DeCaria, a member of the chamber and its marketing committee. "It is a coalition of business and professional people and individuals who care about their community.

"It is the power of voice and influence. Being a member of an organization, you realize that if they speak with one voice, they are more likely to be heard," he said.

The chamber serves to increase the quality of life in the borough and to create an economic climate favorable for business to thrive and grow.

The Ellwood City chamber sponsors community enrichment programs including storytelling in the park, Earth Day, the Arts and Humanity series, and an anti-litter campaign. The chamber also provides a computer program in conjunction with Lincoln High School.

It is also responsible for the Pride In Ellwood (PIE) campaign, a community marketing project. This year's activities also include a concert in the park series.

Member Deb Sudano, also a member of the marketing committee, notes that

the chamber is a place not only for businesses and organizations, but for individuals who are interested in their community.

"Many of our individual members are highly visible people in our community: Kathy Thalmann-Blank, an Ellwood enthusiast and little ray of sunshine wherever she is, and Dom Viccari, our borough manager, and Tom Martz, who has led the Fourth of July Arts and Food Festival for many years," Sudano said.

Martz has been a member of the chamber since 1975. After 27 years, he retired 19 years ago, as president of ESB Bank.

"It is hard for an individual to help the town if they don't have a vehicle to work with. You can't just go down the street and say I want to fix this; you have to become a part of an entity that can make a change," Martz said.

"As a member of the chamber, you become a part of helping with plans and projects. Like everything else, you get out of it what you put into it," he said.

Martz, who spends three days a week, six months of the year, preparing for the three-day Fourth of July festival, knows the value of contacts and networking.

He said the chamber's executive director, Tom Stachura, is doing a great job by having lots of activities and keeping the directors involved.

"All of this activity makes people want to join the chamber," Martz said.

Networking is one of the most important functions of the chamber and there is ample opportunity at the informal monthly meetings. Members talk casually, and learn about other businesses and services. Chamber members patronize other chamber members whenever and as much as possible.

In January, the chamber held a mixer at Jo Joe Beanz & Mary Jo's Catering at the Creekside Mall at 324 Wampum Ave. Owner Joe Carusone was not a member of the chamber, but the mixer was such a success that Carusone soon saw it was important to join. DeCaria, who attended the mixer as a member of the chamber, was so impressed with the facility that he made reservations for a family gathering.

"It is a success story," DeCaria said. "When a business gets exposure, there is an awareness that happens and in a small town the words travel fast."

SIDEBAR:

The Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce has no political or religious affiliations. As a nonprofit organization, it has to raise money to exist.

Being a member of the chamber has benefits:

lHealth, dental and vision insurance are available through a partnership with ChamberChoice that provides member businesses with medical, dental, and vision plans, and added benefits, including life and disability benefits and HIPAA compliance assistance.

lChamber members may sign up for a utility audit administered through the Eric Ryan Corp. at a discount of the regular rate. The Eric Ryan Corp. is an Ellwood City-based firm that specializes in auditing utility and telephone bills.

lThe chamber provides free notary services for members. Notary services are available to nonmembers at a cost of $5 per transaction.

lMany advertising opportunities exist for chamber members. They can exhibit their marketing materials, business cards, and brochures in the chamber lobby on Fifth Street. Members also have the opportunity to link their website with the chamber as part of its membership directory. Advertising space may also be purchased in the Business Brief, the chamber's newsletter.

lBusiness counseling is available at no cost at the chamber. Assistance is available in developing a business plan, estimating cash flow, designing a loan package, and understanding state and federal regulations.

Individual membership is $50 per year, nonprofit organization and church memberships are $65, and the rate for businesses is based on category and the number of employees.

To contact the Ellwood City Chamber of Commerce, call (724) 758-5501

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